Cult leader fasts for teen's return

CLAYTON, N.M. (AP) - The leader of an apocalyptic sect accused of sex crimes against underage female followers says he will not eat until the state returns a teenager who was removed from the sect's compound.

Two teenage girls and one boy were taken from the compound in northeastern New Mexico in late April by the state Children, Youth and Families Department after allegations were raised against Wayne Bent.

Bent heads The Lord Our Righteousness Church and calls himself Michael Travesser.

He faces counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

On the sect's Web site, Bent writes that he wants the teen returned to her parents.

He also explains that he had "taken the course of fasting and prayer rather than continue to spar with the insane."

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